Apparatus for forming cylindrical shapes



March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES 11 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 14, 1949 xW Y m m n m nimm H T TOR/VE Y March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES 1l Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1949 HTTORNEY March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER 2,587,975

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES Filed June 14, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 www @uw I March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL sHAPEs 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 14. 1949 March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER APPARATUS FOR F ORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES Filed June 14, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. vr/ew /Zaffmf Lmwwhww d ,lh

March 4, 1952 F. M, DARNER 2,587,975

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES Filed June 14, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 LJ.' @wiz/SIMM March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER 2,587,975

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL sHAPEs Filed June 14. 1949 1l Sheets-Sheet 7 March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER APPARATUS FOR F' ORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 14, 1949 R ma. M m. w m@ g 4.a.

March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER 2,587,975

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES Filed June 14, 1949 11 sheets-sheet 9 March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER 2,587,975

APPARATUS FOR FORMINGv CYLINDRICAL SHAPES Filed June 14, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 HIT March 4, 1952 F. M. DARNER APPARATUS FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL sHAPEs ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed June 14, 1949 MSW 4770/?/VEY Patented Mar. 4, 1952 APPARATUS .FOR FORMING CYLINDRICAL SHAPES Frederic M..Darner, Shaker Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to Republic Steel Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation oi.A New Jersey Application June 14, 1949, SerialNo. 99,102

11 Claims.

Thisfinvention relates to apparatus for forming cylindrical shapes. The apparatus includes three parallel rolls which are mounted in spaced relationship with respect to each other during `a rolling operation. The rolls are arranged with two of the rolls lying in a horizontal plane and spaced from each other, and a third roll located above the two lower rolls and centrally with respect thereto. All three of the rolls are power- .driven during arolling operation. The bearings of fthe upper roll are vertically movable and the 'vertical movement of the upper roll is attained bynthe application of power to the supports for ,the bearings of the roll. The distance between `the two lower rolls is adjustable to accommodate 4:theapparatus `for Arolling shapes Ato different diameters.

When `the spacing ofthe lower rolls has been adjusted, a sheet of metal whose longitudinal edgeshave been suitably curled is inserted above the two lower rolls and beneath the upper roll, :and the upper roll is lowered suiciently to engage lthe sheet between the upper rollt-and the two lower rolls. The set positionof the upper roll is dependent upon the diameter of the rolled `shape which is to be formed. When `the sheet of metal is gripped, the rolls are operated and `the :sheet is rolledinto a cylindrical shape formed `outside of -the upper roll.

The two lowerfrolls are `of the same diameter and the upper roll has` a greater diameter. VBacking-up rolls are employed for preventing bowingof the two lower rolls. These backing- Vuprolls are adjustable, `together with the lower rolls, for changing `the spacingbetween the lower rolls.

After the cylindrical shape vhas been formed, the upper roll is raised sufciently to relieve the .pressureexerted thereby upon the rolled shape .and the shape is then removed from one endof thefapparatus. The bearing for the vupper roll adjacent one end of the apparatus is removable from supporting relationship to the upper roll. lWhen .this bearing has been displaced,` the formed shape may be'taken from the upper rol1.` The .other `en'd ofthe upper roll projects through its 'The apparatus includes motor-controlled means for"1apidly raising thetwobearings lof the upper 4roll andf'orlowering the upper roll into gripping lrelation with a plate to be rolled at a lower speed. A

`The apparatus "includes power-driven :wheels for facilitating the removal of a rolled shape from the apparatus. These wheels are mounted on a carriage located between the pair of lower rolls and displaceable vertically for engaging the wheels with the bottom of the rolled shape. The carriage is raised by -hydraulic jacks until the wheels engage and lift the shape from Contact with the lower rolls. This is accomplished after the upper roll has been raised and thedisplaceable end bearing 4has been lowered. The wheels on the carriage are then motor-drivenand the tube which rests upon the wheels is conveyed from the end of the upper roll.

The apparatus mayinadditioninclude a fluidpressure-actuated ejector which positively engages the inner `end of the rolled shape and displaces the shape endwise while it rests on the elevated wheels of the carriage. When the ejector is used alternatively to the motor drive of the wheels, the latter may be permitted to idle and constitute -a rolling pathway forl the tube. The opposite, outer end of .the tube which is thus advanced by the ejector is then received by a pair of driven, rubber-tired rollers, which take over the `transport of the tube and-complete itsendwise Vremoval from the apparatus.

The apparatus is suitable for .forming tubes `from relatively heavy sheets of vmedium carbon `ratus;

`Figs. 2A `and 2B illustrate a side elevationof the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view through one ofthe bearings of the upper roll on line `3---3 of Fig. 2A; Figml is a'sectionalview on line 4-.4 ofFig. 3; Fig. 5 isan elevational View through the displaceable bearing ofthe upper roll on line 5 5 of Fig. 2B;

`Fig. 6 is a section online 6-'6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a plan showingthe displaceable bearing in lowered position;

Fig. 8 isa Section online 8 8 of Fig. 6 and illustrating. the horizontal `displaceable bearings on the lower `rolls;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 6 showing the worm drive for the upper roll-bearing elevating mechanism;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the mechanism for elevating and removing the rolled shape;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional'view of one end of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a section on line I2-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a section on line I3-I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a section on line id-M of Fig. 1B; Fig. 15 is a section on line Iii-I5 of Fig. i4; Fig. 16 illustrates the gearing between the power-driven shaft and the shaft by which power is transmitted to raise and lower the upper roll;

Fig. 17 is a plan of part of the apparatus, showing the cooperating ejector device;

Figs. 18A and 18B are elevations representing in effect a single View with part broken away between them,Fig. 18B showing the structure of Fig. 17 and Fig. 18A showing structure, disposed beyond the left-hand end of Fig. 18B, for cooperatively receiving the rolled shape;

Fig. 19 is aifragmentary detail'view of a part of Fig. 18B, greatly enlarged;

Figs. 20 and 21 are enlarged sections respectively on lines 20-2@ and 2I-2I of Fig. 18B; and

.Fig. 22 is an end elevation ofthe device of Fig. 18A, enlarged, and partly in vertical section.

The shape-rolling rolls of the apparatus consist of an upper roll i!! and two lower rolls II and I2. These rolls are parallel to each other with the lower rolls lying in a horizontal plana,

Vand the upper' roll located thereabove and equally spaced from the lower rolls. The operating relationship of the rolls is illustrated in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 12 and 14. v j The ends ofthe lower roll II are mounted in bearings i3 and It and similar bearings I5 and IS are provided for the lower roll I2. The bearings !3 and I5 at one end of the apparatus are slidably mounted on ways I1 (Fig. 4) located at the upper surface of a laterally extending sill portion i3d of the inner housing assembly I8 for the rolls, and the bearings Ill and I6 are similarly supported on ways I9 on a laterally extending sill portion 29a of the outer housing assemby generally designated 2U, at the other end of the apparatus (Figs. 7 and 8). The housing assemblies I8 and 25, including their sill portions IBa and 20a, are supported by beams 2l and 22 which extend longitudinally of and support the apparatus. The beams 2l and A22 are supported byfoundations 23 and 24, respectively, which flank theY sides of a pit 23 into which parts ofthe operating mechanism extend, Figs. 3 and 5.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the inner housingv I8 includes upwardly extending members 21 providing guideways 23 and 2s which are engaged by guides 32 and 3l at opposite edges of a yoke 32 in which the bearing shells 33 and 34 for one Yend of the upper roll Ii) are mounted. The yoke 32 carries a removable bearing block 35 which retains the bearing shell V33. The upper surface of the bearing block 35 is seated against a transverse pin 35 as shown (Figs. 3 and 4), permitting the bearing and thus the end of the roll YIll to rock slightly on a transverse axis to ac- The yoke 32 is movable vertically for raising and lowering the end of the upper roll i0. For this purpose the yoke 32 is mounted on the upper end of a rod31 whose lower end is threaded and engaged by a nut whose rotation causes longitudinal movement of the rod 31. The nut is keyed to a worm wheel which is enclosed in the casing 39. This elevating mechanism Vwill be described in more detail with reference to the bearing supporting the other end of the roll I0 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The elevating nut is rotatable by the shaft lill, Figs. 3 and 4, which is supported in suitable bearings in the casing 39 and along its length. The shaft extends to the other end of the apparatus (Figs. 2A and 2B). The shaft Ml carries a gear 4I (Fig. 16) which is contained within a gear box 42. The gear 4I is engaged by a gear i3 mounted on a shaft 44 which is operable by a motor 45 through a change speed mechanism 55 of conventional design (Fig. 2A). The change speed mechanism is operable for enabling a rapid elevating movement of the roll Iii and a slower depressing movement of the roll IB, for example, as when a plate is being initially engaged by the rolls before the rolls are rotated.

The yoke 32 also provides bearings 48 and 49 for a shaft 50 which carries a gear 5I by which the gear 572, keyed to the upper roll I0, is driven. The end of the shaft 5&1 is connected to a shaft 53 by a universal joint 55, and the other end of the shaft 53 is connected to a drive shaft 55 by a universal joint 55. The motor 51 operates the shaft 55 through a speed reduction unit 58. The lower rolls II and I2 are also driven from the speed reductionl unit 53 through the shafts 59 and G and the shafts tl and-52, respectively, which are suitably connected by universal joints to the lower rolls I I and I2. All of the universal joints permit relative axial movement between their inner and outer engaging parts for env abling changes in the positions of the axes of the rolls I0, II and I2 with respect to the axes of the driving shafts 55, 5S and El). The shafts 55, 59 and 6i) are driven at such speeds that the velocity of the surfaces of all three of the rolls Ill, II and I2 is the same.

The end of the shaft of the roll Ill extends beyond the gear 52 into a tapered projection 63, Figs. 1A and 2A, which terminates in a cylindrical end 64 which is adapted to be engaged by a block 65 for supporting the roll Iii when the bearing of the roll at the other end of the apparatus is removed. The block 55 is carried by a screw 61 which is engaged and supported in a tapped hole in a plate 68. The plate 55 is fastened to a beam and it is desired to remove theformal shape, the Vtop roll Il! is raised by the yoke 32 and another yoke (hereinbelow described) at the outer end of the roll, until the cylindrical end 64 comes in Y contact with the block 65, which has been originally set at a predetermined elevation. Thus while the formed shape is beingremoved, the top roll II)` isA held in its elevated position by the yoke 32, and by the block VQ55, under and against which The formed shape is removable from the end ofltheapparatus which is illustratedin Figs. 11B, 2B, 5, 6 and 7. When the rolls are being rotated to 'form a shape the roll H3 is laterally stabilized by 'an outer housing 'i3 `which is supportedon the shafts 14 and "I5 to which it is'keyed. The shaft "I4 is `rotatable in bearing bosses l'l and 'il' and the shaft 'I5 is rotatable in bearing bosses I8 and 1:9. Thesebearing bosses project upwardly from a laterally extending block 29 which rests upon and is anchored to `the longitudinal -beams 2| and (22. A gear sector 8| isfkeyed to the shaft 'it and agear sector82 is ikeyed to the shaft l5, and these `two `gear sectors are rocked to rock the shafts 'I4 and 15 to move the housing 13 between its'upright position, Fig. 6, and a lowered position (Fig. 7). i

Theigear sectors 8| and 82 are engagedby the gear sectors 83 and Y31|, respectively, which are keyed Vtoa shaft 85. The shaft 85 is mounted for `rotation in bearings within the brackets |25 and 81 which project from the block 2t. The shaft 85 is rocked to llower and raise `the housing '13. The 'power for accomplishing this is `applied `through an hydraulic cylinder 38, a piston rod 89, `and aY pivotally connected slide 99 (Figs. 6 `v`and 7). The slide 9|) is guided by a bar 9| atltached to the laterally extending block 2Q. The

gear sector 83 carries an arm 92 which is pivotally connected to the slide 9i] by a link 93. As the Eslide I9|) is movedto the right, as seen in Fig. 2B, the housing 13 is rotated downwardly toward the yposition illustrated in Fig. 7, and the reverse movement of the slide raises `the housing to its upright position as illustrated in Fig. 1B.

The end of the roll Ii which may be relieved of support, is supported during a sheet rolling operation bya ring or yoke e4 which is adapted to slide with respect to the housing 13. The end of the roll I has a turned down shaft 95 which -is engaged by a bearing member 96. This bearing p 'blocks are parallel and are engaged by ways IBB and |84 extending from the inner vertical sur- "faces of the housing T3. The end shaft 95, ring `9'| 'andsupportingring 94 are guided for linear Amovement with respect to the housing '53.

The `supporting ring or yoie 94 has extending `from its under side a pair of Aarrns Iii and IB'I `which have bosses |03 and |d9, respectively, `at

their lower ends. These bosses are bored to engage a shaft IIB which passes through the head '|-I I of a vertically guided rod I2. The lower end I'IS of .the rod H2 is threaded and engaged by `a rotatable nut Irl. A'for rotation andis supported by a thrust bearing The nut |54 is journalled IIS. The worm wheel H6 is carried by the nut fand is engaged by a worm (Figs. '5.:and 9).,

The Worm and l which is keyed `to `theshaft 4B.

worm wheel H6-fare enclosed `within a `box I8 by which v.the -thrust bearing H is supported. The gear-boxI |8and thrustbearing'l |15 are supported vby four Arods H9, |129, |2| and |22 `which depend from thesill.portionprcross-beam struc- `ture a ofthe housing assembly 20. The shaft 49, which `has `i-previously been rei-erred to with reference tothe elevating control of -the other end-of the roll -lis operated 'from Vthe shaft 44. The roll-supporting and elevating rods |31 `and H2 are operated simultaneously through `similar worms and worin wheels-by theshaft 40.

`Before the supporting ring 94 is removed-from `the end `of the rollstop I0 by lowering the housing 13, the tail end 64 of the roll has: been Ven gaged by the-block 65 as describedabove, *so `that the roll remains in ,its elevated position. The formedsha-pe may 'then 'be removed. Since the apparatus is designed for forming `a tube from relatively iheavy stock, it-is 1desirable `to relieve the lower rolls `and I2 from *supporting the tube when -thetube isiwithdrawn from the roll I0. A carrierinechanismd 23, as illustrated in Figs. `10 to 13, inclusive, is provided -for that purpose. The carrier mechanism includes a carriage which `is vertically movable to lift the tube from the lower rolls after the upper roll has been raised from engaging relationship with the interior of the tube.

The carriage is located between 'the lower `rolls andfIZand-centrally --below the upper -roll I 0. The carriage-includes-a central beam |24 vrigidly connecting with similar rectangular frames and |26 at Aits ends. The-frames |25 and 26 are supported by hydraulic `jacks |27 and |28, respectively. Each jack :includes Va movable `cylinder |29 (Figs. 11 and 12) Viid-operatingfen-- gagement with a `piston "|30 which is attached to a cross-piece I3I`-extending lbetween `and supported by "the longitudinally extending beams 2| `and'22. The upper endof` the cylinder |29 nts fin the Vsocketpf Aa barrel |-32 `Whose klower rim :abuts `a-ilange'|33 projecting'from the 'exterior :of` thefcylinder. The barrel is 4supported on the `cylinder and is movable therewith when Vthe initerior of -thecylinder isfpressurized.

The cylinder '|29and fbarrel I3-2 are `guided for vertical `movement `byguideways |34 and |35 carried =by the brackets |39 and |3'|.` respectively, `which extend upwardly `from the cross-piece |3|. The barrel `|32 Ycarries lugs |38 and |39 to which the upper` endsof `rods |40 and 14|, re'- spectively, aresecured. The lower ends of these )rods 4extendwbelovv thefeross-piece |3| and are `provided with stop members |4-2and |43 where- `by-to limit ther-extentiof `upward movement of fthecylinder |29 fand ofthe-carriage 423. Pressure isapplied tothe interior-of the cylinder |29 through a hole drilled through the axis of the piston |30. `The -two Ajacks |21 "and |28 Aare lsimilarly constructed and associated'with their Vrespective endsaof the `carriage 4|23 and they are simultaneously operable `through connected pres- :sure lines whereby the same pressure is `avail- *ableffor operating them. i

Each rectangular .framecl25 and |26 has fastened to `it twopairs offparallel'side` plateswhich serve to support wheels and-operatingmotors `by which the -Wheels are driven. As illustrated Yin Fig. 11,` the -side `plates and |5I are `located uatone side of the jack, andtheside plates '|52 .and `|153 areilocatedqatthe.otherfside of the jack. The sets of :wheels :and wheel-.operating Jmotors lat both-:sides .of the `l`jack are similarly :supportked.: l@

'at both ends of the apparatus. Figs. 6, 7 and8, the bearings I4 and I 6 are mount- Yed on two laterally movable carriages |80 and A shaft |54 is journalled in the plates |50 and II, Figs. 11 and 13. A horizontal plate |55 is secured to the lower edges ofthe plates |50 and I5I, and a motor |56 is supported therefrom..

This motor |56 drives a sprocket and gear connection |51 by which the shaft |54 is rotated. A roller |58 is keyed to the shaft |54 and this roller frictionally engages an idler wheel |59 which in turn frictionally engages the wheels |60 and IGI. The idler wheel |59 is held over the roller |58 by a pair of radius links |62 and |63 which are pivotally connected at one end to the shaft |64 of the idler wheel |59 and at their other end to a shaft |65 which is supported by the side plates |50and I5I.

The two wheels |60 and I6 I, rotatable on shafts |66 and |61, respectively, are carried by opposite walls of afour-walled auxiliary carriage |68. This auxiliary carriage |68 is supported by the idler wheel |59 and the shaft |54, but it is free to oat as determined by the contacting relationship between the idler wheel |59 and the two wheels |60 and |6I, and to tilt on the roller |58. The wheels-|59, |60 and |6I have rubber rims, and the carriage |68 is therefore resiliently supported. The carriage has a plurality of elongated openings |69 and |10, Fig. 11, which are engaged by the rods |1| and |12 which extend between the plates |50 and |5I and cooperate with the openings for limiting its tiltable movement on the line of contact between the supporting roller |58 and the idler wheel |59.

Each of the auxiliary carriages |68, I 13, |14 and is similarly constructed and mounted so thatA all of the Wheels carried thereby and Which are engageable to contact with the bottom of a cylindrical shape function similarly. Each of the four pairs of wheels is driven by an individual motor and all of the motors are operable together to actuate the wheels simultaneously and at the same speed. An idler wheel |16 is mounted on a shaft |11 located midway on the beam |24 Vcentrally of the auxiliary carriages at either end of the beam. The wheel I16 serves to support the formed shape particularly Ywhen its following end has left the wheels mounted in the auxiliary carriages |14 and |15.

When the roll I0 has been raised to an `elevated position |0a (Fig. 12) by the roll-elevating mech-V anisms, and the housing 13 is depressed to leave the end of the roll free, the rolled shape |18 may be removed from the apparatus. It is lifted to a position I18a above the rolls I I and I2 by operating the jacks |21 and |28 and thereby raising the carrier mechanism |23. The wheels of the ca-rrier mechanism are brought into Vcontact with the bottom of the shape |18 and the shape is lifted clear of the rolls I I and I2. Thereafter the motors |56 are operated to drive the wheels and convey the shape from the apparatus.

As previously explained, the rolls I I and I2 are independently mountedl at their ends in bearings'which are movable cross-wise of the apparatus to adjust the spacing between the rolls. The bearings for these rolls are similarly constructed As illustrated in I8I, respectively. 'I'hese carriages slide on ways I9 at the upper surface of the laterally-extendingk sill portion 20a. They shaft |82 extends through the carriages |80 and I8I and is rotatably supported in bearings |83 and |84 which are carried by the sill portion a. The carriages |80 and'IBI have xed thereto nuts |85 and |86 which are engaged by left and right-hand threads |81 and |88, respectively, on the shaft |82. Depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft |82, the bearings I4 and I6 will be caused to move towards or away from each other simultaneously. One end of the shaft |82 carries a gear |89 which meshes with a gear to which a -bevel gear I9| is keyed. The bevel gear |8| meshes with a bevel gear |92 on the shaft |93 which extends lengthwise of the apparatus (Fig. '7). This shaft extends for the full length of the apparatus and operates a cross-shaft |94 (Fig. 1A) which simultaneously moves the bearings I3 and I5 at the other ends of the rolls II and I2. The shaft |93 is driven from a motor |95 (Fig. 1B) through gears contained in the gearing box |96.

Because of the lengths of the rolls II and I2, it is desirable to provide backing-up rolls which will support the rolls II and I2 intermediate their lengths during a rolling operation. In the apparatus illustrated in the drawings there are two sets of backing-up rolls |91 and |98 for the roll II, and two sets of backing-up rolls |99 and 200 for the roll I2, Figs. 1A and 1B. A section through the backing-up rolls |98 and 206 is illustrated in Fig. 14. As may be seen in this gure, the roll I I is in contact with two rolls 20| and V202 which are freely rotatable on shafts 203 and204, respectively. The'shafts are mounted in a laterally-movable carriage 285. The lateral position of the carriage is controlled by a nut 206 which is engaged by a threaded portion 281 of a shaft 208. An oppositely threaded shaft portion 209 is engaged by a nut 2|@ which is carried by the carriage 2II on which the rolls 2|2 and 2I3 which back up the roll' I2 are mounted.

The shaft 208 is journalled in bearings 2I4 and 2|5 supported by the cross-beam 2I6. The shaft carries the bevel gear 2|1 which meshes with a bevel gear 2 8 on the shaft 2 I9. The shaft 2I9 is journalled in a gear box 220 and has keyed to it a gear 22|. The gear 22| is engaged by a gear 222 on shaft |93. A

The backing-up rolls |91 and |99 are similarly controlled through a cross-shaft 223 and gearf Figs. 17 to 22 inclusive, show further structure cooperatively useful with the apparatus described above, and including an ejector deviceJ which may be employed for positively displacing the rolled shape, instead, for example, of relying upon motor drive for the wheels |68, I6I of the carriage.

Referring to these figures, a suitably controlled, double-acting, fluid-pressure-actuated cylinder 250, for example, a cylinder containing a suitable piston (not shown) adapted to be driven in either direction by air under pressure, is mounted in a horizontal position, one end of the cylinder being carried by a bracket 25| on a column 252 appropriately secured tothe upright structure 69, 10 at one sid-e thereof. The forward end of the cylinder is carried on an adaptor plate 254 mounted on an upright part 2l'V of the inner housing I8. The piston rod 255 of the'cylinder, which is driven axially in either direction as explained above, is adapted to project alongf side of the rolls l0, |2, and carries atits end a slide `258which rides on horizontally disposed'and ing upper and lower channels into which the arms of the slide project.

The slide 258 carries a laterally projecting, ejector dog 262 which extends to a point near the surface of the roll i so that theend of the dog 262 can abut the end of the rolled-shape |18. Itfwill be noted that the rolled'shape has its end somewhat spaced from the housingA 21,. as shown by dot-and-dash lines |18a, allowing space for the ejector dog 262 When the latter is at' its righthand position (Fig. 17) and while the rolls are operating to form the shape |18. The guide or way structure 260, which extends horizontally alongside ofv the rolls` is supported at one end, next to the cylinder 250, by` brackets 251i, 265 fastened on the housing I8 and secured to an elongated, channel shaped supporting and protecting structure 261 within which the guide structure 260 is secured. At further localities the guide structure 26|! is carried on angularly disposed columns 210, 215| projecting from asupporting beam of the apparatus.

The cylinder and its piston rod are selected to have an appropriate length of stroke, which may be considerably less than the length of the rolled In oneembodiment,` where the latter shape |18. was about 30 feetlong, an air cylinder having a stroke of 9 feet, and providing a corresponding length of stroke for the slide 258 and the dog252, Was found satisfactory. 1t will now ce seen that the piston rod is kept in its retracted position Vduring the rolling operation, the dog 2&2 being disposed between the righthand (inner) end of the plate or skelp which isbeing rolled, and the inner housing I8, i. e., as indicated by dot-anddash lines 2i'2a in Fig. 17. When the rolling operation is completed the top roll Ill is elevated and likewise the carriage |23 with its several supporting Wheels including the wheels |60, IGI. It may also be explained that in employing the ejector device of these figures the motor drive of the carriage wheels may be omitted, for example by removing the chains E57, so that the wheels operate as idlers, supporting tlierolled shape and providing a rolling pathway for the latter.

The cylinder 252. is now actuated to drive the piston rod 255 to the left, i. e. along beside the rolls, thereby propellingT the slide 25B and the ejector dog 252 toward the outer end of the apparatus. The ejector dog abuts the end of the rolled shape and positively moves the latter axially for a corresponding distance to the left (as seen in Fig. 17), for example to the end of the stroke of the piston rod.

In cooperation with the devices described above, a pair of wheels 286, 28| having rubber tires 282, which may be pneumatic tiresv for better grip, are mounted on a transverse shaft 28'5 journaled in bearings carried by spaced supportsl 236, at a locality somewhat to the left of the apparatus as seen in these views. Specically the wheels are disposed under the path of the rolled shape from` the apparatus, i. e. so that they receive the rolled shape as it is moved, say, to a position near the end of the path of travel of the dog 262. By'a pulley 290 on the shaft 285, coupled with a belt 292 to an electric motor drive unit 294, the shaft 285 and thus the Wheels 28D, 28| are continuously rotated in a direction to continue the advance of the rolled shape.

As shown in Fig. 22, the shaft 285 has threaded pontions`295lsothat the positions of the Wheels 280, 28| may beV adjusted axially of the shaft, each` wheel being locked in piace by lock nuts 296; The wheels arexnot only spaced to provide good support forthe rolledA shape but their spacing ispreferably such that theyexert a pinching action: on` the shape` between them, thereby enhancing their engagement of the tubular article` and `pro viding amore positive drive,` With no likelihood of' lateral displacement of the article;` y

Thusthe' ejector and further pipe conveying devicesishown in Figs; 17 to 22 inclusive provide effective removal ci"` the completed shape from therollsii. e. afterl the/outer housing "I3 has been lowered and While the shape is supported on the wheels-de, lili and |76 ofi the now-elevated carria'ge. As soony as the continuouslyl turning wheels 2&0, 28| take over theA advance ofj the rolled'l shape, from the' ejector, theythen continue the removal or the shape from the rolls. The dog 262 Ina-y thenbe retractedto it'soriginal position,` `as by operation oithe` cylinder 250 in the reverse direction. Finally, when' the inner endl of' the rolled shape hasV cleared the main apparatus, the latter may be restored `to condition for a new rolling operation asexplained above, i. e. by lowering thecarriage |23, raising the housing 'i3 and lowering the top roll lli.

It will be noted that the cylinder ZE is a stalleperinitting type of drive, in that driving force is continually exerted, as to overcome uneven resistance in removing the rolled shape without causing the drive to be interrupted. Furthermorewhen the wheels 232, 281 firmly takeover theadvance ofthe shape, `by their pinching effect, the cylinder accommodates the remainder of the advance of its piston to the `rate of operation of the wheels.

The principleof operation of the inventionand theapparatus which is now considered to represent.- the best embodiments thereof, have been described,` but it is desired that it be understood that the apparatusldisclosed` is only illustrative, and that the invention can be: `carried out by other means. While the apparatus illustrated in` the drawings is designed to use the various features and` elements in the combinations and relationships shown, some of these may be altered and others Curiitted` without interfering with the more generalH results outlined, andv the utility of the invention withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimedis:

il. In an apparatus" for forming cylindrical shapes, the combination comprising a pair of rollsmounted* opposite each other with their axes parallel, athird roll mounted en an axis mid way between and displaced from the plane of the axesjofV saidpair of rolls, said rolls being spacedl from each other for engaging a sheet of material between said third roll" and each of the rolls ofsaid pairof rolls, bearings for said rolls, means for elevating and lowering the bearings for said` third roll to change'the spacing between said third roll and each of the rolls of said pair of rolls,` a carrier mechanism located between the rolls `of said pair of rolls and beneath said third roll, andymeansA for operating` said carrier `mechanism to engage a` rolled shape on said third roll and raise the shape from contacting relationship with said pair of rolls.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said carrier mechanism comprises an l1 elongated frame carrying wheels lying in a plane passing through the axis of said third roll.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 in which the wheels are located in pairs adjacent the ends of said carrier mechanism and said r.

pairs of wheels are mounted in auxiliary carriages tiltable with respect to each other and each of said pair of wheels is supported by an idler and a drivingroller, said driving roller be- .ing mounted on a shaft carried by said carrier:

mechanism, and means for rotating said shaft. 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in whichthe means for elevating the carriage means comprises hydraulically-operated cylinders.

5. In an apparatus for forming cylindrical shapes, the combination comprising a pair of rolls of said pair of rolls and beneath said third .25

roll, said carrier mechanism including a rigid frame, a plurality of auxiliary carriages loosely supported on said frame, a pair of wheels journalled in each of said auxiliary carriages, and

means for raising said carriage to place said i wheels inV contact with a rolled shape on said third roll.

6. In apparatus for forming cylindrical shapes,

the combination comprising a pair of rolls p mounted opposite each other Vwith their axes parallel, bearings for each roll of said pair of rolls, a third roll mounted on an axis mid-way between and displaced from the plane of the axes of said pair of rolls, said three rolls being spaced from each other for engaging a sheet of material between Said third roll and each of the rolls of said pair of rolls, bearings adjacent the ends of said third roll, means displaceably supporting one of said bearings of said third roll, a projection extending from said third roll and beyond the other of said bearings `for said third roll.'

means for engaging said projection for supporting saidV third roll when the displaceable bearing-supporting means is displaced from supporting relationship with said third roll, carrier mechanism located intermediate the rolls of said pair of rolls and below said third roll, means for elevating and depressing said carrier mechanism, wheels carried by said carrierrmechanism, said wheels being mounted on axes .lying in a plane parallel to the plane of said pair of rolls and extending perpendicular to the axes of said rolls, means for elevating said carrier mechanism to cause said wheels to engage a cylindrical shape surrounding said third roll, and means for driving said wheels to propel a rolled shape resting thereon lengthwise of said rolls to remove the shape from the end of said third roll when said displaceable bearing supporting means for said third roll is removed from supporting relationship with said'third roll.

7. In apparatus for forming cylindrical shapes, in combination, forming rolls comprising a pair of laterally spaced lower rolls and an upper roll disposed centrally above said lower rolls and vertically separable from the lower rolls for removal ofa rolled shapeendwiseover neendof the said upper roll, an ejector device disposed being shiftable vertically to engage a rolledv shape and thereby constitute a rollingpathway for supporting the shape above the lowerrolls While it is pushed by the ejector device.

8. In apparatus for forming cylindrical shapes, in combination, forming rolls comprisinga pair of laterally spaced lower rolls andan upper roll disposed centrally above said lower rolls and vertically separable from the lower rolls for removal of a formed shape, roller means. located between said lower rolls and normally disposed below the locality of a shape being rolled by said forming rolls, said roller means being vertically displaceable for engaging a rolled shape which embraces the upper roll, to provide a rolling pathway for endwise removal of such shape, an ejector device disposed to engage an end of the shape while such shape remains in embracing relation with the upper roll and is supported by said roller means, and means for advancing said device axially of the forming rolls, to displace the rolled shape, while it is supported by the roller means, in a direction to remove the shape.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the means for advancing the ejector device comprise a fluid-pressure-actuated cylinder having a reciprocable piston rod driven thereby, said ejector device being mounted on said piston rod.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 8, which includes resiliently surfaced roller means disposed beyond the forming rolls in the path of travel of the rolled shape as the latter is advanced by the ejector device, said last-mentioned roller means being adapted to receive and support the shape, and means for rotating said lastmentioned roller means.

1l. Apparatus as described in claim 10, wherein said last-mentioned roller means comprise a pair of resiliently-tired wheels spaced transversely of the path of the rolled shape and mounted for rotation on a similarly'transverse axis, said wheels being arranged to engage an underpart of the rolled shape in pinching relation between them.

FREDERIC M. DARNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 104,527 Woodward June 21, 1870 807,352 Boax Dec. 12, 1905 1,245,827 Vaiden Nov. 6, 191'7 1,742,056 Case Dec. 31, Y1929 2,410,603 Dubosclard Nov. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 226,686 Germany Oct. 6, 1909 339,345 Germany July 21, 1921 

